Her flight arrived too late for Kathy Najimy to make the VIP cocktail reception, and she left the Grand Hyatt ballroom immediately after her performance. Still, guests had nothing but praise for the performance she delivered at the Human Rights Campaign Mile High Gala.

The scene from “real” versus “fake” marriages was from the “Coming Out to Aunt Maddie” monologues on the “Kathy and Mo Show.”

“It was really good, but it would have been nice if she could have mixed and mingled with us a little more,” observed Lawrence French, a member of the dinner committee. “But, in fairness to her, the HRC does require celebrities who take part in our events to travel on their own dime, and that sometimes means that they travel when it’s most convenient for them. And when you’re busy…”

In addition to Najimy’s performance, the gala chaired by Faye Wilson Tate, Hank Provost and Christopher Adkins also included presentation of the Paul Hunter Award to Joe Barrows and the recognition of two outstanding youths, Kevin Maza and Cody Medina, who have inspired many across the state of Colorado to be better people, to be individuals who don’t see race, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, religion, or any other classification as a reason to treat someone with anything other than respect and dignity. Their example has shown LGBTQ individuals that there are people of influence who will stand up to defend their right to live safe, productive, and hate-free lives.

“All of the honorees we are recognizing have been champions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights in our region for years, and have made a huge impact on the lives of the people in our workplaces and our communities,” said Provost, a member of the HRC Board of Governors. “We applaud their efforts to promote equality and foster inclusiveness in our neighborhoods, schools and work places.”

Biographical information, taken from the HRC website, follows:

KATHY NAJIMY

Najimy is an outspoken advocate for the civil rights of LGBTQ Americans, and a forceful ally in the battle against AIDS as well as many other LGBTQ organizations. Kathy continues to use her voice in support of all people, regardless of what makes them different and continues to speak out against those who use language that hurts. Najimy has shown others what it means to be an ally in the fight against AIDS and in the battle for equal rights. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, actor/singer Dan Finnerty (the Dan Band) and their daughter, Samia.

JOE BARROWS

Joe Barrows has been a legacy member of the community for more than 30 years. His resume of accomplishments is broad and deep, not only within the space of LGBT equality but building the broader Colorado community as well. It is with great honor that HRC Colorado recognizes Joe Barrows with the 2012 Paul Hunter award for his activism and tireless efforts in the advancement of equality for Coloradans. “I am especially honored to be selected for this award because Paul Hunter was a friend and inspiration to me personally,” said Barrows. “He was one of the first openly gay mayoral appointees to Denver boards or commissions, serving on Mayor Federico Peña’s Police Review Commission. We worked together to help the City’s agencies provide services more effectively to persons with HIV/AIDS and to address concerns of city employees in a time of great uncertainty.”

KEVIN MAZA

Kevin Maza of Wheat Ridge feels he has a calling to empower and educate the LGBT youth community. Maza, a Project Voice Youth Counselor, President of his GSA, volunteer at Rainbow Alley and Drag artist, believes in the importance of helping youth to find their ‘voice’ and exercise it in the greater community especially on issues of bullying, immigration, and health disparities. As a person of color, Maza feels that it is important that people not limit themselves based on the color of skin. Kevin has led presentations to school officials on the importance of LGBTQ students within the educational workplace, in addition, he supports students in promoting the importance of LGBTQ equality, while orienting new youth to The Center’s Rainbow Alley drop-in center.

CODY MEDINA

Cody Medina of Montrose is the founder of the Montrose GSA Chapter, and currently serves on the board of Western Equality. Cody pursued a Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) in the Montrose school system, however when he got resistance from the district, Cody formed his own community GSA by organizing and rallying students, parents, and community leaders to advocate for the GSA and equality of others. As a result, where there was never a GSA on the western slope, with Cody’s persistence, there are now four. Cody, with the support of his mother Cindy will continue to advocate for a youth involvement within the community and the advancement of LGBTQ equality.